Streamlining existing customs procedures at ports in the European Union and separating EU goods from non-EU cargo for ships moving beyond the continent are two ways the European Commission hopes to improve shipping in Europe, said Kallas, revealing that currently, a third of all freight traveling in the European Union is transited on ocean vessels, but half of all freight is carried on the roadways.

An official press release stated that industry complains that they are forced to send goods by road, because a heavy administrative burden causes long delays in ports and makes shipping unattractive. Ships can sometimes wait for hours or even days in ports for customs clearance. We need to lighten this load.

Kallas thinks these two changes will be a big step toward putting the maritime industry on the same level with other forms of transportation.

Source: British International Freight Association